Each year, millions of people suffer the direct physical, financial, and emotional impact of crime victimization. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey, 2021, the rate of violent victimization in the United States has declined significantly over the last two decades—from almost 80 victimizations per 1,000 persons in 1993 to 16.5 victimizations per 1,000 in 2021—yet some 2.7 million people were victims of violent crime in 2021. More than 8 million households suffered property crime victimizations.
OJP is committed to enhancing the Nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and to providing leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is leading the way by centering survivor voices as part of the national discourse on criminal justice policy and practice. Including these voices enables OVC and OJP to implement impact programming and ensure OVC’s programs reflect the true needs of survivors.
Every April since 1981, OVC has led communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) to celebrate the accomplishments of the victims’ rights movement and reflect on how far we have come. In 2023, NCVRW will be observed between April 23-29. Sign up for the NCVRW Subscription List to receive important updates about future NCVRW commemorations.
Help for Victims of Crime
If at any time you feel that you are in immediate danger, we strongly urge you to call your local police department’s emergency number (911).
If you are a victim of a crime, you have many rights and services available to help you. Access toll-free, text and online hotlines for help or additional information.
Review the YouTube Terms of Service and the Google Privacy Policy
Search thousands of programs in our Directory of Crime Victim Services to locate victim services in the United States and other countries.
Featured Resources
Child Abuse Monthly Feature
Child abuse can happen to all types of kids. It is rarely a single event.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) 2023
Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.—calls upon communities to amplify the voices of survivors and commit to creating an environment where survivors have the confidence that they will be heard, believed, and supported.
Youth Violence Monthly Feature
Exposure to violence as a child can cause emotional and physical harm, including negative impacts on health and well-being that can follow a child into adulthood.
Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Participating in the justice system as a victim or witness can be especially confusing, distressing, and even retraumatizing for children.
CrimeSolutions
View victim-specific programs and practices ratings designed to help practitioners and policymakers understand what works in criminal and juvenile justice-related.
National Crime Victimization Survey Dashboard (N-DASH)
This dynamic analysis tool allows you to examine National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) data on both personal and property victimization, by select victim, household, and incident characteristics.
OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book
Forming a complete picture of youth victimization in its many different forms requires information from a variety of sources. This section of SBB provides statistics that can serve as a foundation for policies and programs to ensure the safety and well-being of children.
Funding Opportunities
Explore OJP's funding opportunities to support victim service providers.
Learn about JustGrants, DOJ's grants management system
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Training & Technical Assistance
Visit the following sites to learn about training and technical assistance services from and supported by OJP program offices:
Popular Topics
Victims of Crime Videos
Victims of Crime Podcasts
Defining and Studying Elder Abuse Polyvictimization
January 2023
Series: Justice Today Podcast
NIJ Social Science Analyst Yunsoo Park shares her knowledge about elder abuse, a widespread issue in the U.S. and around the world, particularly polyvictimization — the experience of a range of different types of abuse and maltreatment. As much as 11% of community-residing older adults experienced some form of abuse or mistreatment in the past year. Yunsoo discusses risk factors, difficulties in defining and studying elder abuse polyvictimization, and strategies for intervention and prevention. Stacy Lee Reynolds, a Communications Assistant with NIJ, hosts.
Finding a Serial Killer—and Justice—After 40 Years
January 2023
Series: Justice Today Podcast
During this episode, Detective Johnson and Dr. Williamson describe how decades of determined police work and cutting-edge forensic science identified Joe Michael Ervin as the person who assaulted and murdered four women between 1978 and 1981.
Understanding, Preventing, and Responding to Human Trafficking
December 2022
Series: Justice Today Podcast
Human trafficking is an issue without a simple solution, but research on this problem is helping victims and developing tools and information to help better understand, prevent, and respond to trafficking. NIJ Scientist Mary Carlton joins host Josh Mondoro, Communications Assistant at NIJ, for a discussion about this research.
Shedding Light on Assault
December 2022
Series: Justice Today Podcast
Human trafficking is an issue without a simple solution, but research on this problem is helping victims and developing tools and information to help better understand, prevent, and respond to trafficking. NIJ Scientist Mary Carlton joins host Josh Mondoro, Communications Assistant at NIJ, for a discussion about this research.
A Conversation with Roberta Roper: The Evolution of Victims' Rights
September 2022
Series: Justice Today Podcast
To commemorate the annual observance of the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims on September 25, Office for Victims of Crime Director Kristina Rose speaks to Roberta Roper about the murder of her beloved daughter, Stephanie. Hear Roberta’s inspiring story and how the crime victims’ field has changed in the past four decades and learn about the ongoing work that needs to be done to help all victims of crime find their justice.